Thursday, October 4, 2007

'Russian Folk Tales'


While shuffling my small personal library at home, a very old thick book caught my eye. ‘Russi Lok Kathayen’ (Russian Folk Tales), I think I received this book as prize from my school around 22 years back in 1985 when I was in 6th standard. Since then I must have read this book not less than 100 times. I never get tired of books, movies or music I like, and can read, watch or listen over and over again for countless times.

First published in 1960, this 373 pages book has got collection of 33 short and long Russian folk tales translated in Hindi. These stories are part of Russian culture since generations and carry the same world of magic, devils, angles, beautiful princess and poor peasants as our Indian folk tales do as our mom or grandma used to tell us in our childhood. Some of the stories are one page long and some are 10-15 pages long as one keep flipping the pages.

I still remember the fantasies I used to get dragged in while reading this book in my childhood. That was amazing world, when there was no tension or worries or targets to be achieved. Entering those worlds of imagination was not at all difficult as like today. Few pages a day, kept mind of a reader like me engaged for weeks and floating with the little prince who is struggling hard to get his kingdom back from the clutches of lusty cruel Czar.

That amazing world had every color hidden inside. There were always some godly magic powered people or animal to help grief stricken hero or heroin of the story. It could be Beautiful girl Yelna or Wise Vasilisa, the princesses or brown wolf or brown horse or Feniest the Falcon or sometimes even a kind witch named Baba Yaga. Peasants like everywhere were innocent and being exploited by local rich landlords. There was beautiful princess cursed to be frog, retired army soldier who outsmarted and trapped ‘Death’ and is believed to be ‘still alive’, merchants with magical objects like flying ships, kings with extra ordinary beasts like singing cat, or golden falcon or flying horse, poor Ivan (almost always the hero of every tale) who had to walk and cross unlimited jungle or snow covered fields to fight anacondas, six headed fire throwing dragon named Zamai Gorinich or envious czar to achieve his destinations. Hateful cruel stepmothers, helpless fathers, wise and gorgeous daughters and brave sons are part of almost every story. Three iron caps, three pairs of iron shoes and three iron sticks were to break off to achieve every difficult mission.

There are some very interesting and funny stories which bring smile at the face of reader of any age. Gladly every story has a happy ending and brings relief for soft hearted innocent readers.

Reading these stories once again as a mature reader, I found that the feelings, emotions, dreams, desires, values, affections, lust, beauty, kindness, hate, responsibilities, duties or anything which touches a human heart are same all over this planet, no matter it is an Indian or Russian, no matter it is 16th century or 21st. We all are same.



103 comments:

Unknown said...

I recall them. I have read two volumes of them, and for the first time in my life I came to know about the existence of the word 'Chunache'.

Fond memories.

Anonymous said...

Hi Praney... I remember reading those stories so many times... yes in 1985-1990 years. Do you still have a copy of that book. I have somehow lost mine. I wanted to pick one up for my son. Will you be able to tell who were the publishers of that book? If so, you can mail me at ankurgd@gmail.com. It will be much appreciated... by me and I am sure my son too.
thanks...ankur

Anu said...

Pranay, I am glad to have come across this one buddy !! I had read the book as a child and would love to get my son to read it. Can you kindly tell me where to find it ? My mail ID is anupam35@gmail.com.

Kind regards

Anupam

Grammore said...

Hi Pranay, I wanted to buy that book for my son but it is not available, I shall be reaaly grateful if you could tell me the Publisher at divya.zutshi@gmail.com. Thanks and Regards

Anonymous said...

hi pranay

i was so happy to see that someone atleast could giv me a trace of that book. its been on my mind since ages and i lost my copy when i was in college. would love to get my hands on one anyhow.
pls. let me know if u can help me.
my id is swati.singh@inbox.com


thnx
swati

Anonymous said...

Hello Friends,
I am too looking for the "Roosi Lok Kathayein" for my 4 year old daughter.

I still remember those lines "jao wahan na janey kahan, lao usey na jane kisae".

The book is beautiful collection of pure stories. I have losted my copy due to termite. :-(

If you know of some publisher, kindly email me at: aopl@hotmail.com

I will be obliged.

Aditya Gupta said...

Hi, I remember reading this book in my childhood. I want to buy it since I want to have it in my library. Can you please tell me the publisher and ISBN or if you can please tell me where I can get it (I live in UP).

Thanks in advance.

My mail id: adityastar@gmail.com

Aditya

Praney ! said...

Surprisingly so many friends want to obtain this story book and writing me for more information on this. Though I still posses this book with me since decades, maximum information I have from that book is that it is published by Pragati Publications (Govt Of India). There is no other information, available from the book. I wish if anyone got lucky to know the source, please do inform here to help other.

Anonymous said...

Everyone who is in need of this book can contact me directly at AOPL@HOTMAIL.COM
I have got a copy of the book from a good new friend.
So, I am getting the whole book "Roosi Lok Kathayein" scanned for all of you !!
Now, you do not need to wait any longer. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone !!

The Book Is ONLINE at

http://RussianFolkTales.OJAS.Asia

You can download the book from the above location.

If anyone who wants the file on the CD, then you can contact me directly at AOPL@Hotmail.com

Just give me your good wishes :-)
& Enjoy !!

Unknown said...

Amazing....Thanks Vikram...I was searching this book from a long time..as still I remember BABA YAGA and her Hut on Hen's feet.
Thanks for giving us all those memories back.
Many thanks again.
Vikas

Amit Robert Chand said...

Hey Buddy,

Thank you so much, may God bless you forever, it is so nice to catch such a memory....

dreamsmasher said...

Thanks a LOT !! i still remember those endearing stories, somehow i could relate to all these Russian folktales very closely.

also any ideas where i can find these other books?

1. Teen Mote (3 fat men or something like that :P)

2. Adventures of Tolya Klyukvin

Much grateful for the same :D

Regards,

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot Vikram.

Nidhi Garg said...

Thank you so much.....I have been looking for these story from long time....now I have electronic version for my kids.....Thanks a tonnneeee....I remember there was one more book named "Jahan Chah Wahan Rah". I have that book in India and don't know whether its still there or not....If someone has more fairy tale books plz post...Thanks again Vikram

Unknown said...

Hello Vikram
Thanks very much for the link. I was going crazy reciting "grr grr aaya reech kaala" but unable to find the book again.
Amit

Pranav said...

I was searching for an old russian book "Jab papa bachche the" when I came across this post. I am really excited to see a lot of people interested in similar russian stories.

I am blessed enough to be still in possession of Roosi Lok Kathayein, Jahan Chah Wahan Rah & Ukrainee Lok Kathayein :-)

However, I am not so lucky to have "Jab papa bachche the". I read the book when I was 6-7 years old and still have vivid memories of the book.

I, along with my brother, have been sarching for the book for years now but to no avail!

I would be extremely grateful to you guys if someone could tell me where to get that book from. I have searched the net but haven't been able to find the book. If you find it, please inform me at pranav.soral@gmail.com

Thanks - Pranav
pranav.soral@gmail.com

Abhay said...

Thanks a lot.
I think "Raduga Publication, Moscow" were the publishers for most of the SOVIET Stories in hindi.
I had a huge collection of these books.

Vivek said...

Can some one tell from where I can get "Jahan Chah Wahan Rah" ? Please let me know from where I can get it in India or outside. I will be obliged if provided some information. Please send an email at parashar_v@yahoo.com

Raj@work said...

Heyy...Vikram...I was dying to get that book at any cost...Big Big Thanks to you ....Would love to get the book in physical copy as this would give the real sense of our childhood memories....Any idea where can I get the hindi version ...any contacts worldwide whether its India or outside will be much welcome.Once again Big thanks !!

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I read one book in my childhood, named budhimati vasilisa or roopmati vasilisa. That was a hindi version of russian fantasy stories. That book was amazing but somehow I lost that. Now, I am looking for that book for my son. If anyone heard of it and know where it can be found, please mail me at tulikaj@rediffmail.com

Anonymous said...
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prashantarrow said...

hi every one if any one wants the copy of jahan chah wahan rah, russian folk tales, ukrainie lok katayein and papa jab bachhe the contact me at prashantarrow@hotmail.com

kirti said...

Dear Praney ,
i am thoroughly impressed by your blogging skills. your blog is a great source of pleasure and many a time echo my thoughts but ofcourse more coherently . keep it up!!!!
i happened to read your hindi blogs too . you are equally good at it.
also I am fed and nurtured on Russian books and would like to get the copy of papa jab bachche the and jahan chah vahan raah .
Also , i hv 3 fat men and Temur and his squad .if anybody wants it can write to me. my mailid is kirtimulye@gmail.com

prashantarrow said...

hi every one again. there is a good news for you guys peoples piblishing house is again publsihing the books . they are going to print jahan chah wahan rah, russian folk tales, heere moti, ukrainie lok kathayein,babar,turkmani lok kathayein,bhlai kar burai se dar and papa jab bachhe the . up to march and april they are going to print it.there contact no.s are 011-23523349 and 09891585153.

prashantarrow said...

for more russian books contact me to my blog jahan chah wahan rah

prashantarrow said...

sorry contact me to prashantarrowbond.blogspot.com and leave your comment

Praney ! said...

Thanks to all of you friends for stopping by and spending time here !

Please keep visiting !

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Vishal Shrivastava said...

Hi Vikram,

Thanks to you for giving me my childhood back, I had left all the hope that I could ever be able to read these beek, but jaisa book ka title hai "Jahan Chah Wahan Raah" waisa he hua, I serched on google, and found your blog, thankyou so much on behalf of all Russian folk story lovers once again, I had a word with Publisher house of delhi, and they gave me a great news that Papa Jab Bachchey The is already ready.

Vishal
vishal28tava@rediffmail.com

Sheetika said...

Thanks a lot Vikram for giving us Rusi Lok Kathayen all over again.
May God shower all his blessings on you.

Hey Prashant
Thanks for all the info. Please keep us updated when the books are out in market.

Anonymous said...

Reading this book is like going back in childhood days.Thanks and may GOD bless you for sharing this valuable book.

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prashantarrow said...

hello friends peoples publishing house has reprinted the books papa jab bachhe the , jahan chah wahan rah, russi lok kathayein and heere moti so any one want those books they can contact them on this phone no. 011-23523349

Anonymous said...

hello Prashant,
i wanna get this collection.
can u plz tell me from where i can collect these.
thanks
rishi( rishi.wadhawan@in.com )

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prashantarrow said...

hello friends for some circumstancial reasons peoples publiashing house is not going to print these books . so sorry to every one

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VIKRAM said...

HELLO EVERYONE !!

SORRY THE LINK OF THE BOOK "ROOSi LOK KATHAYEIN" HAS BEEN CHANGED.

SO NOW, WHOEVER WANTS A COPY OF THE SCANNED BOOK CAN GET IT FROM:

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/

PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME FOR A PHYSICAL COPY. IF YOU WANT A PHYSICAL COPY, THEN KINDLY PRINT THE BOOK AND GET IT BINDED PLEASE !

ENJOY READING !!

Abhinav Chaurey said...

Hello all the "Roosi lok kathayenn" and "papa jab bacche the" is AVAILABLE now. you can buy them prom peoples publications delhi Ph.011-23523349. i have purchased these 2 books from them. They are really good people. i got my books only in 5 days after ordering.They are also publishing "janah chah vahan raah" soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi Vikram,

thanks for this wonderful book. I was dying to get this childhood book for my little baby boy. I used to read this book using torch under the blanket :) in my childhood. Thanks again for memorising my old memories.

Ashish

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Anonymous said...

gol gol gulgula khasta aur bulbula
and kulhadi ka daliya

aftr losing my father 12 Yrs ago this is the best memory of him i have reading th stories with me.
THanks so much you dont know how much this mEANS...

poprock said...

Dear all,
You don't know what this book 'Jahan chah wahan raah'meant to me. I was just @ class 2 when my brother got this book as prize. My have spend a lot of time during my childhood to read this book again & again. But when we separated (my brother & me) i have no choice but to left my favourite book. But as this book suggest Where there's a Will, there's a way. I have keep on searching for this book thru google & came to know about this blog. thanks to all you guys i have contacted to the publishers. and after a lot of communication/enquiry about this book thru phone. Now i have got this book from People publishing house. There e-mail ID is pph5e@bol.net.in there phone no. is 23523349 &23529823 new delhi. The price of the book is Rs 170 for ordinary edition & Rs 200 for hardbound copy. I have brought the hardbound one. Now i have gifted this book to two of my daughters, & wish they will learn some lessons from this lovely book.
Thanks a lot once again to all of you guys who helped me to get this book in my hand.
I have ordered thru mail & they delivered the copy thru indian post.

shann said...

wow ! thank you all , i am jumping with joy and I am only 40 years old , jahan chah wahan rah, 3 cheers for the blogger :)

Neer said...

Its great to find u all here. I was not knowing that i can find friends and feel my childhood again. Yesterday when i was telling stories to my daughter from the book " Jab papa bachhe the" story was - " Papa ne Doctor ko kata" and she cd not stop laughing when i told her " Kaan, Naak aur Gala -- kya ye Doctor ka naam hai" and the sweet smile on my face. Nothing can be compared to childhood memories.

Neer said...

one more question - do anyone have " Chuk and Gek" i started my searching from that book and landed up here. pl. tell me if i can get that also.

dushyantK said...

Thanks Praney :)
You don't blog anymore, do you?

vikram said...

Hello Guys,
sorry the link to Roosi Lok Kathayein was not working in past few days.

The problem is resolved now.

Download the Roosi Lok Kathayein / Russian Folk Tales in Hindi from:

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales

Enjoy Reading and please send some blessings for my kids in return !!

Vikram

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I loved this book and would like to have it. The link you have posted is not working.
I would be really grateful if you can re-upload it.
thanks

Prerna said...

hi every one,

i am in search of ukrainee lok kathaye... can somebody plz tell me where i can find this book..it was d best book i had in my story collection and unfortunately i lost it. story of talesik was ossum.... kindly help me...

Regards
Prerna

deep said...

hi frnds, i remeber whn i was a kid, my mom and my father purchased these books. i still remeber ivan , najanu , baba yaga. bhoora bhediya aur ajdaha ,.every time wee go to market i serch fr the van who sells these beutifull and precious bookz.mai yahi pray karungha ki jaisee hamare parents nai hamare liye yeh bookss khareede, waise hi hum bhi apne bacchon kai liye yeh pyaree pyaree books kahreeden ..deep

Anonymous said...

Thanks Vikram. The above link is working. We used to have a printed copy before which somehow got lost. My brother so desperately wanted to read this book.

Siddharth

Anonymous said...

Dear All

I was searching for "ROOSI LOK KATHAYEIN" on internet and found this blog. Pls provide the scanned copy of this wonderful book.
Kindly mail at
harish.sharma165@gmail.com

I will always be thankful to you

regards
Harish

coolshaily said...

URL is changed:

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/

Gaurav The Devil said...

Thanks a lot Vikram for providing link for Rusi Lok Kathayen

Vihan said...

Thanks a lot for bringing back sweet memories :D

Anonymous said...

Hi I went to the 2012 Delhi Book Fair and got a copy of "Papa Jab Bachche The" by Alexander Raskin. The publishers are People's Publishing House (P) Ltd.
Address - 5-E, Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi - 110055
Phone - 011-23523349, 23529823
Hope this helps others to get a copy of this much loved and cherished book.

Anonymous said...

how to buy this book? plzzz reply me my contact no. is 08955991298.

this book is amaizing in reading. ok thanksssssss.raj singh frm: bharatpur (raj)

VIKRAM said...

For those who miss the URL everytime.
The book is available from:

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/

Enjoy reading.
Vikram ( aopl@hotmail.com )

Neeraj Gupta said...

Dear All,

I am unable to find book "Rusi Lok Kathayen" on the webpages mentioned as they are no longer available. I request you to kindly send me at my email ID: discoverneeraj@yahoo.com

Also, I have a book "Chuk and Gake" in english. If anyone wants that, please let me know and it would be my pleasure to share it with you.

Regards,

Neeraj Gupta
SM

Anupam Dixit said...

Hi. I too read the Book when i was in my 6th standard. we baught it from a bookshop in Moradabad with a game called table cricket. this book is still with me and very near to my heart. Those were the days of our lives.

sajid said...

Dear Pranay,

Do u have other titles of russian folk tales also available? I am looking for kazakh lok kathayein published by Raduga back in 1980's. Any info where I should look for it?

TARA said...

thank you so much for the link. i was looking for this book for a long time..its worth passing forward to the next generation...

SANGITA said...

I was searching the book " Roosi Lok Kahaniya" since long time,today I got it in this website. THANK YOU SO MUCH for revitalizing all the sweet memories with this book to me. I have never expected that I can get this book on my lap top one day! Thank you and god bless you

sangita

dedestined said...

Thanks guys!
I read through ALL the comments.
Praney, you are a nostalgia-stirrer, & Vikram, you're a Godsend!
All blessings for your kids! May they grow up enjoying books, be pleasure & fun today to you, & pride & support tomorrow!
I'll try to get a physical copy as suggested by some here!
Praney, is it true you blog no more?
Maybe you should resume!
:)

SACHIN GARG said...

RUSSIAN STORY BOOKS IN HINDI I use to study in 1986 . I got one book to download as PDF for children to read it>...

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/roosilokkathayein.pdf

Anonymous said...

thanks..i was searching this book..

http://www.aseemoverseas.com/russianfolktales/roosilokkathayein.pdf

Anonymous said...

I am utterly amused to read this blog and so so surprised to see that there are so many people who fondly remember reading Russian folk tales in their childhood. Specially moved by the comment ' When I was in class 6th in 1985' I was also about same age then.
Well there is a good news for ones who want to again possess these books: Contact People Publishing House in CP, New Delhi- PHONE NOS. 09891585153, 01123523349, 01123324064
E-MAIL ID:pph5e@bol.net.in
To obtain via VPP these BOOKS!! - Jahan Chah Wahan Raah, Rusi Lok Kathayen, Papa jab bacche the & many more........

dreamsmasher said...

Peoples publication is still alive and kicking thankfully!

On my latest trip to India, I decide to buy a copy of all my favourite books and though the address of the publisher was quite misleading (No help from GPS there) I managed to find the place after a couple of hours of hunting around the jhandelwalan extension!

I was so glad when i found "Teen Motey" "Papa jab Bacchey they" "Ukraine lok kathayein" "Roosi lok kathayein" a mydraid of other books!

A word of advice to fellow book hunters living abroad, get the hindi versions of books as they cannot be found on amazon or other such places.

Let me know if someone abraoad wants scans of these, although if you reside in india call up the publishers and order these! :D

Anonymous said...

Hi All, I do possess some of the books like roosi lok kathaen, roopvati vasilisa, jahan chan wahan rah, kazakh lok kathen, papa jab bache the, heere moti... If any one interested, please contact me at sanju.pnp@gmail.com

kavita said...

Thanks vikram u are really a great person. I hv not the suitable words to thanks. God bless ur family

Anonymous said...

This was and still is my favorite story book ever! I spent my childhood reading this book and getting lost in its magic. I have been searching for an Urdu translation of this book since long. There is a Hindi translation available, but I can't read Hindi.Today's children can never experience what we did in our childhood - lost in our little world of stories. It was such a peaceful world!

Unknown said...

dreamsmasher

Hi there can i please get any scans of the books you mentioned, damn i am dying to read them all haaha.
Thanks heaps

Dreamer said...

Guys Now people publishing house
reprinted this book again this year

Peoples Publishing House, 5-E, Rani Jhansi Road, Jhandewalan, New Delhi - 110 055

you buy this book Hurrayyyyyyy

Enjoy

Anonymous said...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/110410668/roosi-lok-kathayein-Russian-Folk-Tales-Hindi

I want RAHASYENAMA horror stories...
can anyone give me link for that i will be very thankful to you

Unknown said...

Man I loved that book as a kid and went today to a book fare to find something like that for my kid.
If you can have the scans or can do me a great favour by sending me the photostat. I am ready to bear the cost. It will be an ideal book, I can read to my daughter.

Anonymous said...

Thank You so much !

ami said...

Hi praney,

Humble request .... I too had read the same book and am looking to buy a copy. Any pointers would help.... Thanks Amrit

ami said...

My email id is amritkr@gmail.com

ami said...

Hi swati,

Could you get a copy of it. I also need it.any pointers would be helpful.

Amritkr@gmail.com

Regards
Amrit

todayisaw said...

I bought many soviet books in the past from http://sovietbooks.in

Anonymous said...

Nice post.If you like hindi story to read then visit this link.

Real stories in Hindi

Anonymous said...

I want RAHASYENAMA horror stories...
its a Russian story book...
can anyone give me link or any details related to this book i will be very thankful to you

Web Apac said...

You can order these books from www.peoplespublishinghouse.in
or if you are in Delhi then go the the shop directly.
---------------------------------
Those were best days of my life. I remember when i bought Papa jab bacheche the, Ukrainey lok kathaye, Dastaan-e-nasruddin.
-----------------------------
I request readers to give their child these wonderful piece of art.
These books are not costly so please buy the hard copy.

VPM said...

I think this link is not working any more. i was so excited to see that the book is available.:-(
Can anyone post the correct link to the book please.
God bless!

Unknown said...

i also have the same book .. with red colour hard cover .. and it Also had so many paintings for each story.. that book was heaven ... i lost all my books at my parents after my marriage ... but i still rmember those stories .. they were so good and moral....

my favor were ... JahaN chah wahaN raah ... teen jhooth aur chalis gappe

chaand said...

Baba daddho, baba yaga. heere moti, matar ka dana, inayat. talwaar aasmaan me uchhali, 10 din baad vaapis aayi. fade memories. since i read those books as soon as i had been capable of reading hindi as a child probably 22-23 years back.
I will be obliged to have a copy of those two books if you have.
1) roopvati vaasilisa
2) Heere Moti

regards,
C. P. Mittal
cpmittal@gmail.com